Throughout the 2000s to present day, reality TV has become a sensation worldwide. Whether shows consist of the lifestyles considered abnormal (Sister Wives), competitions (The Challenge and Survivor), or groups of people picked to live or hang out together (The Real World and The Real Housewives), the television genre provided a new form of entertainment compared to movies and scripted television.
Despite being part of the reality television genre, many reality shows have been accused of or called out on being fake. The aspects of many past and present reality shows can appear to be staged and fakeed simply for the purpose of entertainment. Below is a list of reality shows that were far from the truth, turning out to be completely fabricated for TV ratings and popularity.
6 TLC's 'Breaking Amish' 'Broke Amish' Way Before The Show
When it premiered in 2012, Breaking Amish became one of the most discussed reality shows of its time. The show focused on young adults raised in Amish communities who move to New York City to live like the rest of America, or what they call "English." The participants face culture shock and challenges, later determining whether they want to return to their Amish lifestyles or break free and live their lives under normal circumstances.
Despite the show making it seem that they were fresh on the NYC streets, it turned out they actually left Amish communities prior to becoming part of the show and have been living in the "English" world for quite some time. When viewers found cast member Jeremiah Raber's old MySpace page, it was shown that he left the Amish world years beforehand, as old photos in 2007 showed him wearing casual clothing rather than Amish attire. In the years after the show ended, Raber also confirmed theories that many aspects of the show were staged.
5 TLC's 'Extreme Cheapskates' Was Fabricated And Exaggerated
Although short-lived, Extreme Cheapskates showcased the ways some adults chose to live on a daily basis in drastic or bizarre manners in order to save money. This ranged from cooking lasagna in a dishwasher, doing laundry in a swimming pool, or even using tuna flavored cat food for tuna sandwiches. While it was entertaining, viewers also found aspects of the show disgusting.
In a 2012 episode featuring "extreme cheapskate" Kate Hashimoto, she appeared to take free samples of detergent to wash her clothes while showering, use soap rather than toilet paper when using the restroom, and dumpster dive for food. In the years after the show ended, it was revealed TLC had her exaggerate her cheap lifestyle for entertainment purposes, which eventually landed in her being cyber bullied for her lifestyle deemed gross and unsanitary.
4 WeTV's 'Bridezillas' Was Overdramatized
While it may no longer be considered a past reality show due to its 2018 revival, Bridezillas was once WeTV's top-rated program during the height of its popularity in the mid-2000s. Viewers saw soon-to-be brides unleash frustrations, become demanding or difficult, and often lash out at those who have any kind of involvement with their upcoming weddings.
After the show's original 2013 conclusion, some contestants have expressed their dismay with their portrayals on TV. Many even revealed they were told by producers to act out even worse than how they actually were. Melissa Moore, who appeared during the show's seventh season, revealed that producers even asked her to repeat previous actions but to get angrier for the sole purpose of entertainment.
3 A&E's 'Duck Dynasty' Was Staged And Prepared
When Duck Dynasty premiered in 2012, it became a ratings success for the A&E Network, despite some controversy. The series showcased a conservative Louisiana family with a business making products for duck hunters. The show's success garnered the family millions of dollars from increased sales of their products and advertising.
After the show ended, the Robertson family revealed that many scenes were fake, with many situations planned in advance by producers. The Robertsons refer to the show as "guided reality," because it didn't actually depict their real lives. In addition, they claimed they weren't allowed to talk about Jesus Christ and if mentioned, the show would bleep it out to make it seem like they were cursing, even though claiming they never curse.
2 MTV's 'Pimp My Ride' Wasn't That 'Pimped'
As MTV began to slowly shift away from its ended music purposes in the 2000s, reality TV became its main focus. 2004 introduced Pimp My Ride, hosted by rapper Xzibit. The show featured poorly conditioned cars being customized and restored to something near high-end vehicles.
In the years after the show's conclusion, several participants have spoken about the show's lack of authenticity. Justin Dearinger, who appeared on the show in 2005, revealed on Reddit that his car makeover actually took five months, even though the show made it seem like the process only took a few days. Other participants have said certain parts of the newly renovated car were removed shortly after filming ended, as they were deemed unsafe to have in vehicles and were only inserted to look cool for the cameras.
1 MTV's 'The Hills' Was More Like A Soap Opera
Despite its popularity during the late 2000s, The Hills may have received the most flack for its questionable authenticity. The show was often accused of fabricating storylines throughout its run, which turned out to be true. After her departure during the first part of season five, leading lady Lauren Conrad revealed on The View that Spencer Pratt's phone apology to her was fake, as she wasn't on the other line, meaning Pratt never actually apologized for the sex tape rumors he spread about Conrad and her ex-boyfriend Jason Wahler.
After the show's conclusion in 2010, cast members revealed most of the show was staged. Kristin Cavallari was the most vocal about the show's fabricated storylines, revealing her relationships with Brody Jenner and Justin Brescia (known as "Justin Bobby") were fake. Heidi Montag, who presumably worked for Bolthouse Productions before getting fired in the fourth season, revealed to Buzzfeed that the job was all for show, meaning she never actually worked there. Furthermore, Audrina Patridge told Entertainment Tonight in 2016 that her and Cavallari's short-lived feud was fake. Although the show's theme song says "the rest is still unwritten," it's clear those words didn't apply to The Hills.
